Automatic water softener system including a pressurized brine tank, control valve, vlave operating means and/or timer combinations



Feb. 2, 1965 E. c. REYNOLDS 3,163,110

AUTOMATIC WATER SOFTENER SYSTEM INCLUDING A PRESSURIZED BRINE TANK, CONTROL VALVE, VALVE OPERATING MEANS AND/OR TIMER COMBINATIONS Original Filed Nov. 1, 1956 7 Sheetseet 1 r I F 60 l L- *wf/ a i if; 23 I 20 63 INVENTOR, 3 an e. fir/V0106 mM Feb. 2, 1965 E. c. REYNOLDS 3,168,110

AUTOMATIC WATER SOFTENER SYSTEM INCLUDING A PRESSURIZED BRINE TANK, CONTROL VALVE, VALVE OPERATING MEANS AND/OR TIMER COMBINATIONS Original Filed Nov. 1, 1956 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. 748! 0 fir/V0106 A 770i! V 1965 E. c. REYNOLDS 3,168,110

AUTOMATIC WATER SOF'TENER SYSTEM INCLUDING A PRESSURIZED BRINE TANK, CONTROL VALVE, VALVE OPERATING MEANS AND/0R TIMER COMBINATIONS Original Filed Nov. 1, 1956 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 a ET. 8

Z06 INVENTOR.

m Zia-QM- Feb. 2, 1965 E 3. REYNOLDS 3,168,110

AUTOMATIC WATER SOFTENER SYSTEM INCLUDING A PRESSURIZED BRINE TANK, CONTROL VALVE, VALVE OPERATING MEANS AND/OR TIMER COMBINATIONS 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Original Filed Nov. 1, 1956 ya! a my m 2Z6 234 IN VENTOR.

5/724 C. AIY/Vdlfl Feb. 2, 1965 E. c. REYNOLDS 3,168,110

AUTOMATIC WATER SOFTENER SYSTEM INCLUDING A PRESSURIZED BRINE TANK, CONTROL VALVE, VALVE OPERATING MEANS AND/OR TIMER COMBINATIONS Original Filed Nov. 1, 1956 heetsheet 5 /,4 121? 1F: id/074 l I l l l I l we ma 1 [11 UJE:\5 I mu e [41?1 C. fir/V0403 Feb. 2, 1965 E. c. REYNOLDS 3,168,110

AUTOMATIC WATER SOFTENEIR SYSTEM INCLUDING A PRESSURIZEID BRINE TANK, CONTROL VALVE, VALVE OPERATING MEANS AND/OR 'TIMER COMBINATIONS Original Filed Nov. 1, 1956 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 [ARA C if K21 271206 TOP/Vi) Feb. 2, 1965 E. c. REYNOLDS 3,168,110

AUTOMATIC WATER SOFTENER SYSTEM INCLUDING A PRESSURIZED BRINE TANK, CONTROL VALVE, VALVE OPERATING MEANS AND/OR TIMER COMBINATIONS Original Filed Nov. 1, 1956 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR.

54/?1 C, Fir/V0406 flaw-1.2 BY wfiz ATTOAA IX United States Patent Ofitice 3,168,110 Patented Feb. 2, 1965 AUTOMATIC WATER SUFTENER SYSTEM IN- CLUDENG A PRESSURIZED BRINE TANK, CON- TRGL VALVE, VALVE OPERATING MEANS AND/R TIMER COMBINATXONS Earl C. Reynolds, 19130 Woodingham Drive, Detroit, Mich.

Original application Nov. 1, 1956, Ser. No. 619,817, new Patent No. 3,028,964, dated Apr. 10, 1962. Divided and this application Dec. 13, 1961, Ser. No. 163,951

Claims. (Cl. 137-42413) This is a division of application Serial No. 619,817, filed November 1, 1956, now Patent No. 3,028,964 granted April 10, 1962.

This invention generally relates to water softeners and particularly pertains to a water softener system including a fully charged pressurized brine tank and an automatically operated and timed system flow switch valve so that the system is capable of automatically backwashing, brining, rinsing, and returning to soft water use upon the tripping of the automatic sequence timer by a manual switch or by a period timer at the end of the desired period of soft water use.

Water softeners, brine tanks, and systems integrating same have been employed heretofore in conjunction with various types of valves and piping, however, the several devices of the prior art have not proved entirely satisfactory in operation and use.

With the foregoing in view, the primary object of the instant invention is to provide a fully automatic water softener, brine tank, and system flow rotary switch valve integration which is capable of operating for a period of soft water use and then to regenerate the system upon the tripping of an automatic sequence timer.

An object of the invention is to provide a fully charged pressurized brine tank which is capable of instant operation due to the fact that it is constantly capable of supplying brine for regenerating the water softener crystals.

An object of the invention is to provide a system flow switch valve which is capable of furnishing water at all times to the service connection by furnishing soft water to the service connection during the soft water use period and by furnishing hard water to the service connection during the backwash, brining, and rinsing cycles of softener tank regeneration.

An object of the invention is to provide a system which is capable of soft water use and regeneration cycle operation for long periods automatically such as for several months or a year wherein a service company can charge the brine tank with salt periodically thereby enabling the system to operate for the ensuing period so that an ordinary housewife can regenerate the system by merely operating a switch to trip the sequence timer or by having the sequence timer automatically tripped at intervals by a period timer.

An object of the invention is to provide a period timer for automatically actuating the sequence timer so that no manual operation of the device is required during service periods and so that the system will regenerate itself entirely automatically at pre-set intervals established by pie-determining the mineral or chemical content of the water of the locality and the amount of water used in the installation.

An object of the invention is to provide a sequence timer which is capable of energizing a motor and mechanical means for operating the valve for the purposes of putting the system through its regeneration cycle and back to soft Water use.

An object of the invention is to provide a system flow switch valve which is capable of being easily moved through the various positions of regeneration and soft water use.

An object of the invention is to provide a system flow switch valve operating mechanism in conjunction with the sequence timer which is capable of moving the switch valve to certain locations at certain times to accomplish the desired switching and flow circulation of the water in the system.

An object of the invention is to provide means for moving the valve rotary selector core from the soft water use position, to the backwash position, to the regeneration brining and rinsing position, and back to the soft Water use position and for holding the positions for a certain period of time and to provide means for adjusting the length of the periods as desired.

An object of the invention is to provide means easily adjustable to vary the length of time of the backwash period, the length of time of the brining period, the amount of brine used, length of time of the rinsing period, and the length of time of the soft Water use period.

An object of the invention is to provide easily adjusted variable period timer and sequence timer devices and system so that period of soft water use and the period of regeneration including the incremental periods of the regeneration cycle, can be set as desired so that the devices and system can be custom installed to suit almost any conditions of volume of water, hardness, and iron.

An object of the invention is to provide a period timer and regeneration sequence timer system which can be adjusted for long or short periods of soft water use, long or short periods of regeneration, backwash, brining, and rinsing, and any combination of said periods depending on the individual characteristics of the water and rate of use.

An object of the invention is to provide an adjustable timer and system so that the system under any circumstances can be adjusted for optimum results coordinated so as to anticipate not only the ion exchange exhaustion point of the crystals, but also filter contamination due to foreign matter so that the system can be regenerated for the reason first occurring and the duration of backwash and brining periods coordinated in proportion to the exhaustion of the crystals and the contamination of the filter.

An object of the invention is to provide full automatic control so as to obviate human error or indifference so that the crystals will be regenerated prior to approaching a state of ion exhaustion and the filter cleaned prior to approaching a state of reduced efficiency contamination.

An object of the invention is to provide a water conditioning system which is flexible as to duration of soft water use, backwash, brining, and rinsing periods so that it can be easily adjusted and set to meet the specific demands of the installation so that regardless of the balance or unbalance between filter or filter bed contamination due to foreign matter such as iron deposits on the one hand and the softener crystal exhaustion due to ion exchange with hardness elements such as magnesium and/or calcium carbonates on the other hand.

An object of the invention is to provide an automatic fully adjustable system and elements particularly suitable for specific preventive maintenance so that the system can be automatically regenerated as often as desired, the length of the backwash period can be adjusted to the contamination state of the filter, the brining period can be adjusted to the exhaustion state of the crystals; and the rinsing period can be adjusted to the state of brine residuals thereby establishing the water conditioning system to combat the particular objectionable characteristics of the specific water in such manner to preventively maintain the system in optimum working condition.

An object of the invention is to provide valve actuating means which engage the valve core driven elements and first move the core axially relative to the housing to eliminate friction, then move the core angularly relative to the housing to the'proper position, and then permit return axial movement to effect sealing.

An object of the invention is to provide mechanical means which release and by-pass the valve core driven elements after the valve core has arrived at and been which is simple in design and construction,'easy to use,

easy to maintain, and easy to repair by the replacement of easily replaceable parts.

These and otherobjects of the invention will become apparent by reference to the following description of an automatic water softener system embodying the invention taken in connection with accompanying drawings in which: 7

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the system switch valve and operating mechanism together with automatic sequence and period timers.

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the device seen in FIG. 1 showing the valve operating mechanism more plainly.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the switch valve and operating mechanism showing the valve porting diagrammatically.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the valve seen in FIG. 3 diagrammatically showing a different relationship between core and housing.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 3 taken on the line 5-5 thereof showing the mechanical driving elements 7 of the valve operating means.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a modified valving arrangement for the brine tank.

FIG. 7 is a plan wiring diagram of the electrical elements showing mechanical drives in dotted lines.

FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective diagram showing the wiring, electrical motors, switches, and mechanical drives.

FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view of the softener tank, brine tank, switch valve, piping, and valves with the system in the condition of soft water use showing the system flow switch valve and the timer in cross section.

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9 showing the system in the condition of backwashing the softener tank.

FIG. 11 is aview similar to FIG. 9 showing the system in the condition of regenerationbrining; and

move the driven lug 33, boss 39, shaft 29, and rotary core 27 to the left as seen in FIG. 3 to both unseat the core 27 relative to the housing wall 21 and also to move the driven lug 33 to the left so as to be radially aligned with the drive dog 34.

The stationary annular multi-faced and plural slotted cam 35 is fixedly mounted on the plate 26 and has a center aperture surrounding the drive shaft 36 which is powered at one end by the gear train 37 and motor 38 and at the other end has a head 39 piloted in the boss 30 so that the boss 30 can slide on the head 39 in boss 30 axial movement; drive head 39carries drive dog 34 and collar 40 which has a cam notch 41 in its peripheral edge and drive head 39 also carries arcuate rise cam 42 on its radial side ending in step 43. The switch 44 is mounted onthe stationary annular cam 35 and is actuated by the pin which is slidably disposed in the stationary cam 35; the pin in turn is operated by the collar 4t) and cam notch 41 as the collar rotates with the drive head 39.

The stationary annular multifaced and plural slotted face cam 35 is provided with slots 50, 52, and 54 dividing the cam faces 51, 53, and 55 and the driven lug 33 normally lies in one said slot to position the rotary selector core 27 relative to the housing 20. To change the position of the rotary selector core 27 relative to the valve housing 20, the valve drive motor 38 is energized by a sequence timer via a parallel circuit and the drive shaft 36, head 39, collar 40, cam 42, and step 43 start to turn so that the collar notch passes the pin 45 and the collar periphery moves the pin 45 to close the switch 44 in a main valve drivemotor circuit whereby the motor 38 is then energized and the parallel circuit then broken as by a sequence timer. The collararcuate face cam 42 moves angularly and contacts the end of the driven lug 33 and moves the 1ug33 axially. to the left out of the stationary cam slot 50, 52 or 54 an'd'also moves the boss 30, shaft 29, and rotary core 27 to the left so as to unseat the core 27 for .easy turning relative to the housing 20., The collar cam step 43 then contacts the driven lug 33side and rotationally drives the lug 33 angul'arly overthe stationary cam surfaces 51, 53, or 55 until the rise of the cam surface 51, 53, or 55 bears'against the end of the driven lug 33 to move same axially to theleft out of radial alignment with the rise cam step 43 and into the path of the drive dog 34 on'the drive head 39', whereupon, by further angular motion of the drive head 39, the cam step 43 angularly by-passes and the drive dog 34 contacts the driven lug 33 and'moves it angularly until the driven lug 33 reaches the next slot 50, 52, or 54 whereupon the spring 31 moves FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 9 showing the device 1 i in the condition of regeneration rinsing.

Referring nowto the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like andcorresponding parts throughout the several views, the fully automatic pressurized tank system and the automatic system flow valve mechanism disclosed therein to illustrate'the invention, comprises a valve housing 20 having a frusto-conical internal wall 21 defining the housing chamber, a bearing aperture 22 axially disposed relative to the Wall 21, a cover plate 23 having an orifice, 23A, posts 25 supporting the plate 26, a frustoconical rotary selection core 27 disposed in the housing 20 equipped with a neoprene surface 28 for sealably contacting the housing wall 21; the core 27 is fixed on one end of shaft 29 which is disposed in the housing bearing aperture 22 and boss 30 is fixedon the outer. end of shaft 29; spring 31 is disposed between the boss 30 and the housing 20 so that the rotary core 27 on the other end of shaft 29 is springwise sealably urged into engagement with the housing wall 21 and the boss 30 carries the extension 32 which in turncarries the radially inwardly projecting driven lug 33 normally radially displaced relative to the drive dog 34. It can now be seen that axial force placed against the end of the driven lug 33 will the driven lug 33 to the right as seen in FIG. 3 so as to axially by-pass the drive dog 34 and the cam step 43 and to move the driven lug 33 axially into a slot 50, 52, or

' 54. The motor 38 continues to drive the collar 40 until relative to the next stationary cam slot 50, 52, or 54 and stationary cam surface 51, 53, or 55 to place the valve rotary selector core 27, atthe next position relative to the valve housing 20 to -switch the system flow in the desired sequence,

Referring now to the water flow network, inlet pipe 60 is connected to housing cover 23 orifice 23A and intro- .duces hard water into the housing interior against the face of therotary selector core 27 and the core 27 covers the housing ports 6166 so that fluid must pass the core 27 to flow from the hard water inlet orifice 23A to the housing ports 61-66; For this purpose the rotary selec- ;ber- S is'equipped with one large spanning core port slot 60 for selectively communicating with the housing ports 61-66 as hereinafter more fully set forth.

The softener tank 70 has a top pipe 71 connected to housing port 64 via pipe 72 and a bottom pipe 73 connected to housing port 61 via pipe 74 so that flow of water 79 in the tank 70 can be from top to bottom or vice versa through a fiat or tubular filter screen or through the optional tank perforate bottom 75 which supports the layers of gravel 76, sand 77, and water softening zeolite crystals 78. When a screen is used the sand, gravel and false bottom may be deleted. The brine tank 80 is preferably equipped with a sand and gravel filter bed below the salt and has a top pipe 81 communicating with the housing port 65 via pipe 82, a bottom pipe 83 communicating via pipe 84 with pipe 72 and the softener tank top pipe 71 so that when Water is fed to the brine tank top pipe 81 when valve 85 in pipe 84 is open, brine is fed to the softener tank 70 top via pipes 84 and 72; by-pass pipe 86 communicates with pipe 82 ahead of oneway check valve 98 and leads to pipe 84 through fiow rate control valve 87 for proportioning and controlling brine fiow and water volume and for feeding rinse water to the softener tank at a controlled rate as hereinafter more fully described.

The tanks 70 and 80 are provided with air-tight caps 90 and 91 respectively and after the tanks 70 and 80 are properly filled with the suitable materials, they are completely filled with water and the air is bled out of all the pipes and valves so that the whole system is under equalized fiuid pressure as supplied by the hard water supply pipe 60. The rotary selector valve core 27 has a vacuum-break or pressure-release orifice 92 for equalizing fluid pressure on either side of the core 27 in its axial movement into and out of the valve housing. It can now be seen that when the core 27 is not in sealing contact with the housing wall 21, no flow occurs in the system in any direction because of the equalized pressure condition; however should the service pipe 24 draw water under this condition, the water flows directly from the inlet pipe 60 without disturbing the system equilibrium.

Referring now to automatic sequential timing and activation of the valve and system, FIGS. 1-9, the timer drum is driven via motor 100 and gear 101; the drum 102 is freely rotatably mounted on the axle 103 fixed to the plate 104 secured to the plate 26. The rotational speed of the timer motor 100 and gearing is so coordinated that the drum 102 makes a complete revolution in a definite period of time such as 90 minutes. The drum 102 is provided with serrations 105 for receiving the keys 106 which in turn carry tabs 110 for contacting the switch arms 107, 108, and 109 for opening and closing the contacts 107A, 108B, and 109C of switches A, B, and C, and it is to be noted that contacts 107A and 109C are normally open while contact 108B is normally closed. Switch arm 108, normally closed contacts 1088, key 106B, and tab 110B operate the sequence timer motor 100 main circuit including wires 220 and 223 on one side and wires 205, 204, and 200 on the other side of switch B; manual switch 111 is in a timer motor 100 parallel circuit including wires 200, 204, 205 and 206 on one side and wires 222 and 206 on the other side of switch 111 to initiate timer clock motor 100 rotation. The timer clock motor 100 stops when drum 102 rotates key 1068 to bring tab 1108 into contact with arm 108 so as to move it outwardly to open the contacts 108B. The pilot light 112 is energized when the switch B is closed via wires 200, 209, 208, and 206 on one side and wires 220 and 223 on the other side of switch B so that upon the pilot light lighting and maintaining itself the operator releases the manual switch 111 and the automatic cycle of the drum then proceeds on the main circuit until the key tab 110B again opens the contacts 108B whereupon the timer motor stops and the timer drum cycle is completed.

The drum 102 carries keys 106A having tabs 110A for contacting switch arm 107 to close contacts 107A which are in the valve drive motor 38 parallel circuit via wires 200 and 223 on one side and wires 200, 201, 202, and 203 on the other side of the switch A and this circuit is used long enough to start the valve drive motor to move the collar notch 41 away from pin 45 so as to close the hold switch 44 in the drive motor main circuit of wires 200 and 221 on one side and wires 200, 201, and 202 on the other side of switch 44. In actuating the valve drive motor 38, the key tab 110A closes contacts 107A in the parallel circuit long enough to rotate the collar 40 to close the switch 44 in the main circuit whereafter switch A is permitted to open the parallel circuit and when the collar 40 has made one complete revolution the pin 45 drops into the collar cam notch 41 allowing switch 44 to open the main circuit to stop the valve drive motor 38 at the same point each time with mechanical accuracy. Several keys 106A are carried by the drum 102 at various points to actuate the valve drive motor 38 at different times during the system complete cycle as hereinafter explained.

The drum 102 carries keys 1060 having tabs 110C for contacting switch arm 109 to close contacts 109C of switch C which are in the solenoid valve circuit via wires 220, 223, 224, and 225 on one side and wires 210, 209 and 200 on the other side of switch C. The normally closed solenoid valve 85 is opened by the closing of the contacts 109C as held by the tab C and as many keys 1060 as desired are closely positioned on the drum 102 to hold the contacts 109C closed for the period of time that it is desired to have the solenoid valve 85 open. FIGS. 1 and 8 show a period timer 1113 instead of the manual switch 111 and it is to be understood that any suitable period timer can be used to provide power for a short time to energize the timer motor 100 to permit the switch B to close. The period timer is adapted to be set to supply power to the timer motor 100 for a sulficient period every day or number of days or every Week or number of weeks as desired and comprises a mechanism adapted to close contacts at the end of the pre-set period for the short duration necessary to start the automatically continued and terminated cycle of the sequence timer motor 100.

Soft water use operation During soft water use the sequence timers condition is such that key tab B is holding against switch B arm 108 to keep the contacts 108B open and pin 45 is in collar notch 41 leaving switch 44 open so that the timer motor 100 is not energized and the valve operating mechanism is static with the driven lug 33 lying in the soft water use slot 50 of the stationary cam 35 with the rotary selector core 27 sealably engaging the housing 20 wall 21 with the hard water supply pipe discharging into core chamber H with core port 0'8 communicating with housing port 64, pipe 72 and softener tank top pipe 71 to introduce hard water 79 to the top thereof, which water then passes through the crystals 78, sand 77, gravel 76 and perforate false bottom 75 or a screen filter (not shown) and then as softened water travels via the softener tank bottom pipe 73, pipe 74, housing port 61, rotary core chamber S, housing port 66 and service pipe 24 to use. Core port 67 is blocked by the housing 20, and housing port 62, 63 and 65 are blocked by the core 27 so that flow does not occur in the rest of the system. This condition will continue until the manual switch 111 or period timer 111B supplies current to the timer motor 100 to drive the drum 102 to permit switch B to close.

Backwash operation When the softener crystals or filter of the tank 70 become partially saturated it is necessary to regenerate the crystals and to backwash the filter or filter bed to remove filtered sediment and deposits and it is therefore first necessary to reverse the flow in the tank 70. The

intervalfof softener tank regeneration is predetermined and the interval is set on the automatic period timer 11113, or if a period timer is not used, the'user closes the manual switch-111 for a short time-whereupon the timer clock motor MiG is energized via parallel circuit wires' 260,204, zes'and- 206' on one side and Wires 220 and 222 on the other side of switch 111 so that the drum 102 starts to rotate until 'key tab 116B releases switch B' arm 108 to permit the contacts 193B to'close whereupon the motor lfitl' main circuit is closed with wires 200, 204 and 205 on one side and wires 220 and 223 on the other side of the switchB and when the switch B is closed the pilot light'112 is energized via 'wires 200, 209, 208, 207 and 206 on one side and Wires 220 and 223 on the other side of the switch B. When the pilot light maintains itself the user then releases the manual switch 111 and the timer operation anddrum 102 rotation continues automatically until the switch B is again opened by the key tab 110B. The pilot light also advises the user that the system is being regenerated and soft Water is not available for use. i

Upon the drum 102 rotating slowly to make a complete revolution in 90 minutes, key tab INA next comes into contact with the arm 1il'7 of the switch A to close the contacts 107A whereupon the valve drive motor 38 is energized via parallel circuit wires 2%, 231, 202, 203

i on one side and wires 220 and 223 on the other side of the switch A. The valve drive motor through gear train 37 slowly rotates drive shaft 36 so that collar 4%) thereon rotates to move collar notch 41 away from and collar 40 into contact with pin 45 so as to move the pin 41 outwardly to close switch '44 whereupon valve drive motor 38 main circuit is closed via Wires 200, 201, and 202 on one side and wires 22% and 221 on the other ,side of the switch 44 and with further drum 16-2 rotation parallel circuit switch A is then permitted to open the parallel circuit so that valve drive motor will continue to operate ,on the main circuit to move the valve drive shaft 36 one complete revolution until'the pin 45 again falls into the notch 41 permitting switch 44 to open in the main circuit to stop drum 102 rotation.

During one revolution of the drive shaft 36, the switch 44 is first closed and then upon further rotation from the cam 35 notch 50 above the lowend of stationary cam surface 51, whereupon with further turning of the shaft 36 the step 43 on the collar 49 contacts the side of the driven lug 33 and angularly moves same over the stationary cam surface 51 until the rise in the surface 51 moves the driven lug 33 axially further outwardly or to the left as seen in FIG. 3 so that step 43 angularly v 8 7 drive dog 34fn1oves thedriven lug 33 'angularly-until the driven lug 33 falls into stationary cam notch 52; the drive parts continue to rotate until pin 45 falls into notch" 41 permitting'switch 44 to open,

It is to be understood that the starting and endingpolSilZlOll of the driving headt 39 and associated collar 40,

arcuate cam 42,'step' 43, and drive dog 34 is seen in FIG.

'5 and thatlone revolution carries the head 39 and asso- 33 is not in the next slot 52, it is necessary to again cause the head 39 and associate parts to make one more revolution whereupon the driven lug 33 will be moved by the drive dog 34' to the next cam slot 52 whereupon the spring 31 axially moves the driven lug 33 into the stationary cam slot 52out of radial alignment with the "keys 106A. 7

drive dog 34 so that the drive dog 34 angularly bypasses the driven lug 33 and-again comes to rest as and step 43 on the head 39.

The driven lug 33 now has been moved 180 degrees from soft water use slot 50 to backwash slot 52 and in its angular movement has rotated the boss 30, valve shaft 29, and rotary selector core 180 degrees relative-to the housing 20 so that housing ports 62 and 65 are blocked, FIG. 10, and hard water via the pipe enters core chamber H and is fed via core port 67, housing port 66, and pipe 24 directly to service and hard water is also fed via core port 68, housing port 61, and pipe 74 to softener tank bottom pipe .73 where it feeds upwardly through the tank 70 to the top pipe 7l, pipe 72,'h0using port 64, core chamber' S, housing port 63, and drain'pipe 99 to waste and the upward flow of the water 79 in the softener tank 79 backwashes the filter screen and/ or the gravel 76, sand 77, and crystals '73, to remove deposits and sediment therefrom and this condition will prevail as long as driven lug 33 is in backwash slot 52, and the desired time interval is set on the drum 102 by selectively spacing The next key 106A on the drum 102 is positioned away fromthe first key 106A by the time desired for backwashing such as, for example, twenty five minutes Regeneration brining and rinsing. After the backwashing has been finished, the drum 102 moves the next key 1196A into contact with switch A' arm 107 to close contacts 167A whereupon the'valve drive motor 38 again is energiied to rotate the driving head 39 'clockwisefrom' the position seen in FIG. 5 whereupon by-passes the driven lug 33. The axial outward move- ,ment of the driven lug 33 and associated parts, first effected by the moving arcuate cam 42 and subsequently t effected by' the stationary cam surface '51, is such to j move'the driven lug 33 from the position seen in FIG.

3, to a position of radial alignment and overlap with the drive dog 34 sothat when the step43 by-passes the driven lug 33 in the direction of the arrows, of FIG. 5, the

drive dog 34, upon further rotating the shaft 36 then engages the side. of the driven lug 33 andv ,IILQVes the driven lug 33 angularly with lug 33 end abutting the and stop position of the drive head is in the area of the stationary cam surface 51; the timer drum 102 next brings another key tab' 1119A against arm 167 which closes contacts 107A until the collar rotates to again move the pin 45 outwardly to close the switch '44 ,whereupon thethe arcuate moving cam 43 movesthe driven lug 33 axially out of backwash slot 52-and then'step 43 and drive dog 34 angularly move the: driven lug 33 along the stationary cam surface 53*until-the driven lug 33 falls into stationary cam slot 54 whereupon'the drive dog 34 by-passes the driven lug 33 and the driving head'39 and associated parts complete one revolution and come to rest as seen in FIG. 5. u

The driven lug 33 in its angular movement between backwash slot 52 and brining and rinsing slot 54 has moved the boss 30, valve shaft 29 and rotary selector core 27 to the position of FIG. 11 relative to the housing 20 so'thatha'rd water enters core charnberH and is fed to service via core port 68,'housing"port 66, and pipe" 24;

com port 68 also supplies 'hard Water to the pipe 82 via'housing port 65 and it is to benoted that core port 67 and housing ports'63'and 64 are blocked off. Upon this condition-existing a close-pack series of keys 136C on the drumv 102 having tabs 1100 are brought into contact with switch C arm 109 and contacts 109C are closed for the desired time, such as for 15 minutes, so that the solenoid valve 85 is opened via the wires 200, 209, and 210 on one side and the wires 225, 224, 223 and 200 on the other side of the switch C.

Upon the solenoid valve 85 being open, water from the pipe 82 passes one-way check valve 98 and enters the brine tank top pipe 81 and flows downwardly through the salt therein and brine emits from the brine tank bottom pipe 83 and travels through solenoid valve 85 and pipes 84, 72 and 71 to the top of the softener tank 70 and downwardly through the softener tank 70 and emits through pipes 73, 74, housing port 61, core chamber S, housing port 62, and drain pipe 99 to waste. During the brine flow period hard water also passes through flow control valve 87 through pipe 86 which is connected between pipe 82 and pipe 84 so as to by-pass brine tank 80 to mix hard water with the brine in pipe 84 and due to the fact that flow control valve 87 adjustably regulates the volume of water therethrough, the proportion of brine and hard water is regulated thereby as desired to regenerate the softener crystals 78.

After the brining period terminates and the crystals 78 are regenerated, switch C arm 109 is passed by the tabs 110C so as to permit contacts 109C to open whereupon solenoid valve 85 closes and all water from the pipe 82 is fed via by-pass pipe 86 and flow rate control valve 87 to the top of the softener tank 70, FIG. 12, to rinse the brine residue from the softener tank 70 and this rinse period continues for the desired time, for example such as 30 minutes, during which time the drum 102 continues to rotate.

A modified brine tank valving arrangement is shown in FIG. 6 wherein normally closed solenoid valve 150 is disposed in pipe 86 and normally closed solenoid valve 151 is disposed in pipe 84. In brining, FIGS. 6 and 11, the valve 151 is opened so that water flow is directed through the brine tank 80 via pipes 82 and 81 and is delivered to the softener tank 70 via pipe 83, valve 151,

pipes 84, 72 and 71. In rinsing, valve 151 is closed and valve 150 is opened and rinse water is fed to the softener tank 70 via pipes 82 and 86, valve 150, and pipes 84, 72 and 71. Due to the fact that valve 150 is closed when valve 151 is open, all water is directed through the brine tank 80 whereas when valve 151 is closed and valve 150 is open, water flow through the brine tank 80 is blocked and all water is circuited around the brine tank and directed to the softener tank 70 for rinsing. The valves 150 and 151 are operated by suitable keys 106 and tabs 110 on the timer drum 102 and at the desired time and for the desired duration as will be understood from the description incident to valve 85 in the preferred embodiment of the invention relative to brining and rinsing.

Return to soft water use At the end of the rinsing period the drum 102 brings another key tab 110A into contact with switch A arm 107 whereupon the contacts 107A are closed and the valve drive motor 38 is energized to rotate the driving head 39 from the position seen in FIG. so that the arcuate cam 42 contacts the end of the driven lug 33 lying in slot 54 and moves it axially thereout whereupon step 43 and drive dog 34 angularly move the driven lug 33 to the soft water use slot 50 where spring 31 drives the driven lug 33 thereinto out of radial alignment with drive dog 34 whereupon drive dog 34 by-passes driven lug 33 and the driving head 39 and associated parts again come to rest in the position of FIG. 5 putting the system in condition of soft water use as previously described and as seen in FIG. 9.

Timer cycling The timer drum 102 is completely surrounded by the serrations 105 for receiving keys 106 therein so that keys 106 having tabs 110 can be placed thereon at any desired point to vary the time duration of the backwash, brining, and rinsing periods in the cycle as is well understood in the timer art. While the drum 102 and sequence timer shown and described has a cycle of minutes, this cycle can be of any time duration such as 60 minutes, 3 hours, etc. as desired. Regardless of the time duration cycle of the timer drum 102, the keys 106 can be placed and spaced thereon to provide backwash, brining, and rinsing periods of any desired time depending on the water softener system, the amount of the water used per day, and the chemical and iron content or hardness of the water so that the softener tank can be regenerated every day or several times a day in installations of high iron and/o1 extremely hard water and/ or excessive water use, or can be regenerated after any number of days or weeks in installation of slightly hard water and/ or low use. However, it has been found preferable to regenerate the softener often to maintain filter and crystal optimum effi- .ciency and the time to regenerate can be easily calculated and due to the fact that only the flip of a switch or the setting of a period timer is required, no user inconvenience or hardship is involved and the inability or indifference of the user is eliminated.

After the system has been installed on location, it is necessary to set the period timer and the stages of the sequence timer. The length of time set on the sequence timer for the backwash stage is coordinated to the iron or solid matter content of the water to be conditioned which is handled by the filter or filter bed of the softener tank. A previous water analysis gives this information and the backwash stage length of time is then determined in View of the kind of filter or filter bed used and the percentage content of iron or other filterable matter in the water.

The previous water analysis also advises the percentage content of ion exchange material in the water such as magnesium or calcium carbonates and the brining and rinsing stage period of time is determined and set on the sequence timer in view of the size and type of the ion exchange crystal bed of the softener tank and the amount of ion exchange material in the water.

The filter capacity and crystal capacity are then studied relative to the iron and carbonate content respectively of the water, and it is determined whether the filter or the crystals will first require regeneration and what the elapsed period of time will be in conjunction with rate of water use. This period of time is then set on the period timer and the system is ready for use and the regeneration will be effected at the correct time.

Relatively short periods of soft water use have been found preferable on the basis of preventive maintenance incident to the filter and the crystals. In other words it has been found preferable to backwash the filter before substantial contamination occurs or before too much time elapses thereby preventing embedding of the iron or other matter; also it has been found preferable to regenerate the crystals before the ion exchange is too far depleted. This maintains both the filter and the crystal in optimum working condition and it has been found that they both not only operate better with frequent regeneration but also that they last longer and maintain high efficiency over much longer life periods.

In other words, due to the fact that the inconvenience, indifference or inability of the user to regenerate the system as often as desired has been eliminated, the system can be set for relatively shorter periods of soft water use and to be regenerated more often thereby preserving the filter and the crystals in a state of highest efficiency.

While the setting of the period timer and the sequence timer has been described in conjunction with on-the-job conditions, it has been found highly satisfactory to provide the factory with water analysis and rate of use information so that the period timer and the sequence timer can be fully integrated and set at the factory prior to the workmen mounting same in the installation.

system adaptable to all commercial and domestic installation conditions.

' Although but a single embodiment of the invention has 7 been shown and described in detail with one brine tank valving modification, it is obvious that many changes may be made in the size, shape, detail, and arrangement of the various elements and combinations of the invention within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A rotary selector valve comprising a housing having a tapered wall exp'andingendwise outwardly terminating in an outer end defining a chamber and multiple ports communicating with said chamber, a tapered rotary selector valve core expanding endwise outwardly disposed in said chamber having separate inlet and'switch chainbers and ports adapted to selectively communicate with said housing ports; said core being axially endwise outwardly displaceable out of contact with said housing tapered chamber wall and non-frictionally rotatablereia- 'tive to said housing; a cover plate on said housing outer end; said cover plate having a port for connection to raw Water supply; a driven shaft on said core leading through said housing terminating in a direction opposite to said cover plate, a boss on the outer end of said driven shaft, a

spring disposed between said housing and said boss displaceably urging said tapered core endwise inwardly into contact with said housing tapered chamber wall for sealing against said housing tapered wall, and means for moving saidshaft axially endwise outwardly toward said cover plate against said spring to displace said core endwise outwardly from contact with said housing tapered wall and to then rotate said core relative to said housing; said means comprising a driven lug on said boss, said driven lug, boss, driven shaft and valve core being interconnected to move axially and'angularly together; posts mounted on and extending from said housing, a support plate fixed on said posts; said support plate having an aperture; a

2 drive head rotatably mounted on said support plate, a rise cam on said drive head coacting with said driven lug to move same axially when said rise cam is moved angularly; a step on saidrise cam for contacting said lug to move said lug angularly, a drive shaft extending through the aperture of said support plate connected to said drive head, a motor, and a gear train driven by said motor connected to said driveshaft and connected through said drive shaft tosaid drive head to rotate'said drive head angularly, and a drive dog on said drive head; said drive dog engaging said driven lug after said driven lug is'moved axially into radial alignment with said drive dog by said rise cam.

2. In a device as set forth in claim 1, anannular stationary multi-slotted and plural facedcarn mounted on a said valve housing adapted to cooperate with said driven lugs; said slots being adapted to receive said driven 'lug to permit said spring to seat saidcore against said housing wall; said stationary cam faces being adapted to move said driven lug axially out of the path of said step in conjunction with angular movement of said driven lug; said drive dog on said head behind said step being adapted to angularly movesaid driven lug along said stationary cam face to the next stationary cam slot; said spring being adapted to move said driven lug intorsaid stationary cam slot out of radial alignment with said drive'dog to permit said drive dog to by-pass'said drivenlug; said camslots being indexed to position said core relative to said housing at various flow channelling positions of soft water use, backwash, and brining and rinsing.

3. In a device as set forthin claim 2; said drive motor having a maincircuitipowering said drive head, a collar on said drive head, a cam notch in said drive head collar, a pin riding said. collar droppable into said notch, and a swit'ch'in said drive motor main circuit when said pin is iding said collar and to open said switch when said pin is insaid collar cam notch; said cam notch, pin, and switch beingadapted to'stop and drive head at the same angular position with mechanical accuracy; i

4. In a device as set forth in claim 3, a parallel circuit for said drive motor and means for powering said circuit long enough to cause said motor to rotate said collar to -move said pin'out of said notch to close said switch in said main circuit.

5. In a device as set forth in claim 4, an automatic sequence timer adapted to close said parallel circuit for the desired period at the desired times.

6'. In a device as set forth in claim 5, said automatic sequence timer, being adapted to run throughva cycle upon activation so as to initiate valve drive motor rotation at various times to cause said valve drive motor to activate said mechanism to move said driven lug to said stationary cam next slot as desired.

7. A valve and operating mechanism for changing flow in a fluid system comprising a valve housing having a tapered circumferential wall expanding endwise outwardly and an internal end wall defining a chamber and housing ports leading through said housing from said chamber for communicating with pipes connected thereto, a tapered valve core expanding endwise outwardly rotatably and axially movably disposed in said housing chamber having at least two separate core chambers selectively communicating with said housing ports; said housing having an open outer end; a cover plate on said housing outer end having a port for connection "to raw water supply; said housing ports and core chambers being coordinated for designed intercommunication to effect designed system flow at least at twoangular positions of said core relative to said housing; said internal end wall having an aperture; a shaft on said core leading through said housing internal endwallaperture for axially moving said core toward said cover plate out of contactwith said housing and rotatably urging said core axially toward said housing'internal" end away from said cover plate relative to said housing, a driven lug on said shaft outward of said housing, posts on said housing, a stationary annular cam mounted on said posts on said' valve housing; said cam having at least two cam. faces and two slots separating said cam faces; said cam slots being adapted to angularly position said core relative to said housing via said shaft lug lying therein and a spring being adapted to'displaceably urge said lug axially into said cam slots to hold said core relative to said housing in a designed angular relative position, and driving means on' said posts adapted to move said lug first axially out of one said cam slot and then to angularly move said lug over one said cam face to other said slot to change the angular position of said core to said housing; said spring moving said core into contact with said housing as it moves said lug into cam slot '8. In a device as set forth in-claim 7, said driving means comprising a rotatable drive head having a rise cam thereon adapted to contact said lug to move said lug axially out of one said cam'slot and a step on said head behind said rise cam adapted to contactsaid lug upon said lug being movedax'ially out of one said cam slot and to angularly move said lug into camming relationship with one stationary said cam face further axially displaces said lug out of radial alignment with said'step so as to permit said step to rotate past said lug, and a drive dog on said head behind said step adapted upon further rotation of said head to contact said lugin its axially displaced position and to angularly move said lug over said stationary cam face to said stationary cam next slot; said spring being adapted to axially move said lug into said stationary cam next slot out of radial alignment with said drive dog so as to locate said core angularly relative to said housing and'to permit said dog. to pass said lug. '9. In a device as set forth in clain1;8, a motor adapted 13 to turn said head, a main circuit energizing said motor, a switch in said main circuit, and means on said head operating said switch adapted to break said main circuit at a certain angular position of said head and to close said circuit except at said certain angular position.

10. In a device as set forth in claim 9, a parallel circuit including said motor for temporarily energizing said motor to move said head means to close said main circuit switch whereupon said head rotates via said main circuit and motor until said means again operate said main circuit switch to open same.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,740,540 12/29 Eisenhauer 210278 XR 5 1,842,211 1/30 Slayton 25l-181 XR 2,137,406 11/38 Johnson 210-278 XR 2,235,287 3/41 Daniels 137--624.18 2,871,883 2/59 Dunlap 137--625.1l XR 10 WILLIAM F. ODEA, Primary Examiner.

ISADOR WEIL, Examiner. 

1. A ROTARY SELECTOR VALVE COMPRISING A HOUSING HAVING A TAPERED WALL EXTENDING ENDWISE OUTWARDLY TERMINATING IN AN OUTER END DEFINING A CHAMBER AND MULTIPLE PORTS COMMUNICATING WITH SAID CHAMBER, A TAPERED ROTARY SELECTOR VALVE CORE EXPANDING ENDWISE OUTWARDLY DISPOSED IN SAID CHAMBER HAVING SEPARATE INLET AND SWITCH CHAMBERS AND PORTS ADAPTED TO SELECTIVELY COMMUNICATE WITH SAID HOUSING PORTS; SAID CORE BEING AXIALLY ENDWISE OUTWARDLY DISPLACEABLE OUT OF CONTACT WITH SAID HOUSING TAPERED CHAMBER WALL AND NON-FRICTIONALLY ROTATABLE RELATIVE TO SAID HOUSING; A COVER PLATE ON SAID HOUSING OUTER END; SAID COVER PLATE HAVING A PORT FOR CONNECTION TO RAW WATER SUPPLY; A DRIVEN SHAFT ON SAID CORE LEADING THROUGH SAID HOUSING TERMINATING IN A DIRECTION OPPOSITE TO SAID COVER PLATE, A BOSS ON THE OUTER END OF SAID DRIVEN SHAFT, A SPRING DISPOSED BETWEEN SAID HOUSING AND SAID BOSS DISPLACEABLY URGING SAID TAPERED CORE ENDWISE INWARDLY INTO CONTACT WITH SAID HOUSING TAPERED CHAMBER WALL FOR SEALING AGAINST SAID HOUSING TAPERED WALL, AND MEANS FOR MOVING SAID SHAFT AXIALLY ENDWISE OUTWARDLY TOWARD SAID COVER PLATE AGAINST SAID SPRING TO DISPLACE SAID CORE ENDWIDE OUTWARDLY FROM CONTACT WITH SAID HOUSING TAPERED WALL AND TO THEN ROTATE SAID CORE RELATIVE TO SAID HOUSING; SAID MEANS COMPRISING A DRIVEN LUG ON SAID BOSS, SAID DRIVEN LUG, BOSS, DRIVEN SHAFT AND VALVE CORE BEING INTERCONNECTED TO MOVE AXIALLY AND ANGULARLY TOGETHER; POSTS MOUNTED ON AND EXTENDING FROM SAID HOUISNG, A SUPPORT PLATE FIXED ON SAID POSTS; SAID SUPPORT PLATE HAVING AN APERTURE; A DRIVE HEAD ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORT PLATE, A RISE CAM ON SAID DRIVE HEAD COACTING WITH SAID DRIVEN LUG TO MOVE SAME AXIALLY WHEN SAID RISE CAM IS MOVED ANGULARLY; A STEP ON SAID RISE CAM FOR CONTACTING SAID LUG TO MOVE SAID LUG ANGULARLY, A DRIVE SHAFT EXTENDING THROUGH THE APERTURE OF SAID SUPPORT PLATE CONNECTED TO SAID DRIVE HEAD, A MOTOR, AND A GEAR TRAIN DRIVEN BY SAID MOTOR CONNECTED TO SAID SHAFT AND CONNECTED THROUGH SAID DRIVE SHAFT TO SAID DRIVE HEAD TO ROTATE SAID DRIVE HEAD ANGULARLY, AND A DRIVE DOG ON SAID DRIVE HEAD; SAID DRIVE DOG ENGAGING SAID DRIVEN LUG AFTER SAID DRIVEN LUG IS MOVED AXIALLY INTO RADIAL ALIGNMENT WITH SAID DRIVE DOG BY SAID RISE CAM. 